In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she lifted the drooping spirits of not just the Indian contingent there but also those of everyone back home. But for that wrong lift, she might have won gold. That does not detract, however, from a stunning achievement, which saw her become the first woman from India to win an Olympic medal. Her inspirational journey at the highest level gave a new face and direction to Indian women in sport. Only China’s Lin Weining (gold) and Hungary’s Erzsebet Markus (silver) were better on the day.

Source: The Hindu July 23, 2016 16:41 UTC